The Unique Identity Authority of India (UIDAI) is now scouring for a Manage Service Provider (MSP) to manage the its over a billion strong database of identity records in the country, chairman Nandan Nilekani has told Governance Now.

"We are going to appoint a managed service provider (MSP). Because this database, which has more than a billion records, has to be managed, it has to be outsourced. So, we will be floating a RFP (request for proposal) for that purpose...," Nilekani said.

With the first set of UID numbers slotted for an August release the body has selected consulting giant Ernst & Young  to assist it in the selection of MSP to implement, manage, and maintain the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR), he said.

“Another tender for selection of Application Software Development, Maintenance & Support Agency (ASDMSA) has been floated and ten companies out of nineteen have been shortlisted for the same," he said, adding that UIDAI had already stated the Proof of Concept (PoC) trials in three states.

UIDAI is also  working on a UID Bill which will legitimize the body and define the framework for its work, the UID chairman informed.

UID is working on the branding aspect and soon a brand name and logo will be finalized.It has received over 2000 entries as part of the logo competition organized by it.

Read the full interview in the coming issue of the Governance Now magazine.